Canon EOS-1 DX: The best of Canon’s full-frame sensors

Improving upon two predecessors

Canon EOS 1D X vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Not surprisingly, given its newer and larger sensor, the 1D X delivers significantly better image quality than the 1D Mark IV, beating its overall sensor score of 74 by eight points, and should deliver comparable image quality to the higher-resolution 1Ds Mark III, which it beat by one point. This indicates that the 1D X is well positioned to meet its role as both Canon’s top-of-the-line studio camera as well as being the camera maker’s go-to camera for the professional sports shooter.

As previously mentioned, the 1D X’s low-light performance also backs up its positioning as a sports shooter. With an impressive score of 2786 ISO, it outstrips both its predecessors significantly, indicating that the 1D X’s combination of a larger sensor (vs the 1D Mark IV), a new metering system, and the broadest sensitivity range of the three cameras (ISO 50 to 204,800, enhanced) is delivering on its promise. Combined with the continuous shooting speed improvements, the impressive ISO performance will satisfy any sports photographer, though they may balk at the $1,800 price differential between the $4,999 1D Mark IV and the $6,800 1D X.

The 1D X’s color depth performance was also solid with a DxOMark Portrait Score of 23.8 bits. The score indicates that the camera will be able to match the 1Ds Mark III in its ability to provide a range of vivid and accurate colors. In comparison with the 1D Mark IV, it scored 1 bit higher, which translates into 2/3of a stop better in terms of delivering maximum color sensitivity.

The Landscape Scores indicate that there should be no noticeable difference in dynamic range across the three cameras.

Canon EOS 1D X vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark III

When comparing the 1D X with its lower-end sibling, the midrange Canon EOS 5D Mark III, we can see that the sensors are fairly similar in performance, which is no surprise as the 5D Mark III (released in a similar timeframe to the 1D X) has inherited many of its big brother’s new technologies.

The 5D Mark III’s full-frame sensor is slightly higher in resolution at 22.3 megapixels vs. the 1D X’s 18 megapixel sensor, but both turn in very similar DxOMark sensor scores. In fact, one-point difference between the overall scores of the two cameras is negligible as are the differences between the Portrait and Landscape Scores. The more significant difference is the Sports scores, where the 1D X scores ½ stop better.

Canon EOS 1D X vs. Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3s

The 1D X’s most obvious competitor in the professional DSLR space is the Nikon D4 and its predecessor, the Nikon D3s. Based on their sensor scores, it looks like the Nikon D4, which was announced a few months after the 1D X and also hit the market this summer, can deliver better sensor performance across the board (and sells for $800 less than the 1D X), whereas the Nikon D3s (which sells for roughly $1,600 less than the 1D X) is much more similar, though the three cameras perform similarly in low light. Keep in mind, of course that the 1D X and D4 have significantly improved features sets, with both offering higher resolution, faster burst-mode shooting, full HD video shooting at 30/25/24 fps, broader sensitivity ranges, as well as nice touches such as a second CF memory card slot, built-in Ethernet connectivity, and optional WiFi. Also note that the D4 has a lower resolution sensor than the 1D X, fewer autofocus points, and can’t match its 12 fps speed in continuous shooting mode.

The tests in which the D4 outpaced the 1D X most significantly are in dynamic range and color depth, although at just under 1 bit difference on the latter, you won’t see a dramatic difference between the two, even if it should be noticeable. The score does translate into a 2/3 of a stop benefit with the D4, but in reality any score above 22 bits is quite good.

For landscape shooters, however, the 1.3 Ev difference between the D4 and 1D X in dynamic range will translate into better details in highlights and shadows, especially at lower ISOs. At ISO 1600 and above, the differences become negligible. Furthermore, the 16 megapixel Sony APS-C sensor (in the Pentax K5 and the Nikon D7000) performs 2 stops better on this test.

Further readings for the Canon EOS-1 DX: The best of Canon’s full-frame sensors

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

By replacing two predecessors with the Canon EOS-1D X, its new flagship professional DSLR, Canon hopes to deliver both the top-notch image quality of the studio-oriented Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and the superfast performance of the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV sports shooter. A compromise of sorts between speed and image quality, the 1D X manages to deliver enough improvements to satisfy both markets.

The EOS 1D X is the new flagship camera announced at the top of Canon's professional range of DSLRs. It will have the difficult task to replace both the sport-specialized, fast 1D series and the studio-oriented, high resolution 1DS series.

Look at the photos that are taken with these cameras so bad according to DXO, does not seem true scores, but makes people happy on a website say that your camera is better, or worse yet, buy a camera so says a website. ;)

Not surprised

I haven't used a high-end camera from any brand, but I know that the sensor performance from Nikon's low-end is a LOT better than what Canon's low-end offers. So I don't find the 1DX scores surprising either, but I am disappointed nevertheless because I was hoping that Canon might finally work on their sensor. Having said that, the low-light performance is something to write home about.

Re: New TEST

Re: New TEST

I guess you n00bs will be forgiven for not being familiar with the well-documented delays here recently. The wishlists for cameras to be reviewed are growing (there is a thread about this), and the camera database is littered with "previews", i.e. placeholders for reviews that may or may not appear. The entire first page camera sensors listed is marked preview bar three entries, and the second page has more of the same. That's over 30 cameras that are out in the wild, waiting to be reviewed, and that's ignoring the fact that some cameras have not been listed, casting doubt on whether there is any intention to ever review them. The only ones that are getting reviewed are from Sony, Canon and Nikon, skewing the market in ways that aren't good for the industry at large, or the consumer.

The site itself is broken in several places, and there's never any official response from the company, they just let the criticism trickle through like it doesn't matter.

What they don't realise is that after making themselves the de facto web-wide standard of sensor performance (snapsort takes its scores from here), it now has a responsibility to maintain a certain standard, otherwise the positive advertising effect it may have had on sales of its desktop software, may turn to a negative one.

World exclusive.

I can not believe

If you follow the results of this page, a Nikon D5100 is better than a 5DMarkIII, and is at the same level of a 1DX or medium format cameras, is incredible, this more than a house of analysis seems the advertising company Nikon & Sony. More and more voices are raised against the results of this website. Nikon camera you use images to promote your software. Interestingly most professional photographers lining the 500px sales, and have a great reputation ignore these results and continue to use mostly Canon or HB for their customers. I am also disappointed with the fact that now you may become responsible for the analysis Dpreview.com lenses, Nikon surely be the best in reverse of what everyone already knows. Kind regards.

First replies for this comment

Re: I can not believe

I think you'll find it's around the other way. Canon is a marketing powerhouse - they probably spend more advertising than Nikon even makes in a year. This is the #1 reason why everyone wants Canon cameras. When the company with the biggest marketing budget also uses the best sensors then DXOmark will no longer go against the grain.

The objective results here do have real-world implications. Take a D5100 and a 7D out at sunset and the dynamic range difference is immediately obvious. You'll also find that you have to put the 7D to bed half an hour earlier. It's really no surprise to read the figures on this site if you use both cameras together.

Finally, the one thing everyone agrees on is that individual results are more useful than 'overall score'. For example the 5DmkIII absolutely smokes the D5100 in noise, which is what you'd expect. The overall score is too dependent on the weighting given to each category. For example Canon doesn't seem to value dynamic range whereas this DXOmark weights it quite heavily.

Re: I can not believe

Quote:

I think you'll find it's around the other way. Canon is a marketing powerhouse - they probably spend more advertising than Nikon even makes in a year. This is the #1 reason why everyone wants Canon cameras. When the company with the biggest marketing budget also uses the best sensors then DXOmark will no longer go against the grain.

The objective results here do have real-world implications. Take a D5100 and a 7D out at sunset and the dynamic range difference is immediately obvious. You'll also find that you have to put the 7D to bed half an hour earlier. It's really no surprise to read the figures on this site if you use both cameras together.

Finally, the one thing everyone agrees on is that individual results are more useful than 'overall score'. For example the 5DmkIII absolutely smokes the D5100 in noise, which is what you'd expect. The overall score is too dependent on the weighting given to each category. For example Canon doesn't seem to value dynamic range whereas this DXOmark weights it quite heavily.

Re: I can not believe

Read reviews of this analysis, and search the web, Nikon DxOLabs favors. Not me, says many people, just look in google. And no one in the world to see the results of this house, just put a number, any sample image, and explain how they obtained the result of that test through the images. Result is a completely opaque, and put consumer cameras above the best professionals, gentlemen, this is completely unbelievable and untrue.

Examples:

Is it better a Nikon D800 for landscapes that a Phase One IQ180 Digital Back? The answer is NO, no way.

Is it better a Nikon D5100 a 5DmarkII for landscapes? The answer is NO.

And for portraits, are matched? NOT.

Is the Nikon D800 ISO performance better than 5DMarkIII? It is also false, in fact the Nikon is worth to cover sporting events, I know professionals who have confirmed.

I could go on with a long list of scores that are out of logic but I have work, each buy what you want.

Re: I can not believe

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Canon/EOS-1Dx">this page on the website</a></div>If you follow the results of this page, a Nikon D5100 is better than a 5DMarkIII, and is at the same level of a 1DX or medium format cameras, is incredible, this more than a house of analysis seems the advertising company Nikon & Sony. More and more voices are raised against the results of this website. Nikon camera you use images to promote your software. Interestingly most professional photographers lining the 500px sales, and have a great reputation ignore these results and continue to use mostly Canon or HB for their customers. I am also disappointed with the fact that now you may become responsible for the analysis Dpreview.com lenses, Nikon surely be the best in reverse of what everyone already knows. Kind regards.

I totally agree with you. We hope that DPReview not get too influenced by DxO for the verification of lenses if not, suddenly, our Canon lenses will become bad bottle bottoms.

Re: I can not believe

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Canon/EOS-1Dx">this page on the website</a></div>If you follow the results of this page, a Nikon D5100 is better than a 5DMarkIII, and is at the same level of a 1DX or medium format cameras, is incredible, this more than a house of analysis seems the advertising company Nikon & Sony. More and more voices are raised against the results of this website. Nikon camera you use images to promote your software. Interestingly most professional photographers lining the 500px sales, and have a great reputation ignore these results and continue to use mostly Canon or HB for their customers. I am also disappointed with the fact that now you may become responsible for the analysis Dpreview.com lenses, Nikon surely be the best in reverse of what everyone already knows. Kind regards.

The problem is that DxO in the general assessment gives the weight of each item in a non-uniform but shifts the weights of individual items at will: to promote NIKON.